Homelessness: The perspectives of people with intellectual disability and/or Autistic spectrum disorder and their families

Abstract

People with intellectual disability (ID) and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are over-represented in the homelessness population. A lack of available and suitable social housing leads to an over-reliance on a private rental market where high rents are prevalent. Yet, people with ID and/or ASD, are more at risk of living in poverty and as such excluded from the private rental market.

The current study reports on the lived experience of homelessness for a sample of people with ID and/or ASD and families supporting adult /children with ID/ASD. Their stories illuminate the complexity and challenges in securing a stable, safe and secure home.